Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 9 Sep

Prompt fuel availability remains tight in ARA

Gibraltar faces congestion due to barge availability issues

Lead times of 10-14 days advised in Port Louis

IMAGE: View from the Rock of Gibraltar, UK to Algeciras, Spain. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Fuel availability in ARA is tight for prompt deliveries, with buyers advised lead times between 5-7 days for most fuel grades, a trader told ENGINE. Fuel demand in the region is getting better compared to previous weeks, a trader said.

The ARA's independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 15% higher in September so far compared to August's monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 276,000 b/d of fuel oil in September so far, down from August's monthly average of around 342,000 b/d, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. Most shipments came from Mexico (51%), Poland (23%) and Finland (13%).

The region's independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - have held broadly steady in September so far, remaining mostly unchanged from August, according to the Insights Global data. Gasoil inventories remain near their lowest level in four years.

The region has imported around 271,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, up from an average of around 155,000 b/d imported in August, according to Vortexa data. Netherlands (74%) and Belgium (26%) supplied the cargos.

Bunker fuel availability is normal in Germany’s Hamburg port, a trader told ENGINE. Buyers are recommended lead times of five days to get delivery of any fuel grade.

Fuel availability remains tight off Denmark's Skaw and in Sweden’s Gothenburg, with buyers advised a notice of 10-14 days for any fuel grade, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Marine fuel availability at ports in the Gibraltar Strait is tight for prompt deliveries, and buyers are advised lead times of 10-12 days out to get good coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Ships visiting Gibraltar for bunkering are facing congestion. Around 24 vessels are awaiting supplies, as of Wednesday morning, mostly due to unavailability of bunker barges and lack of space, port agent MH Bland said.

Some suppliers in Algeciras are delayed by between 6-24 hours, the port agent added.

In Barcelona, buyers should book supplies at least a week before deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is tight in Las Palmas for prompt supplies, with buyers recommended lead times of around 10-12 days to avoid high premiums, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability in the offshore Malta is tight for prompt supplies, with buyers advised around 5-7 days of lead times to secure fuel at competitive prices, a trader told ENGINE.

Fuel availability is tight in Greece’s Piraeus for prompt supplies, with buyers recommended lead times of seven days for HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO, while ULSFO supplies need a five-day notice, a trader said. Increased demand from cruises could be tightening availability in the Greek port.

Fuel availability is stable in Turkey’s Istanbul, with all grades available with a notice of 1-3 days, a trader said.

Africa

In Senagal’s Dakar, fuel availability is normal, and VLSFO and LSMGO is available more promptly, a supplier said.

In Togo’s Lome, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies of VLSFO and LSMGO, with buyers advised lead times of a week to secure deliveries of both grades, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO remains available in Angola’s Luanda, a supplier told ENGINE. LSMGO availability is stable, with a notice of 3-4 days sufficient, the supplier added.

Off Namibia’s Walvis Bay, fuel availability is tight for prompt supplies, with buyers advised lead times of 5-7 days to get deliveries of VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader told ENGINE.

In Nigeria’s Lagos anchorage, prompt fuel availability is tight, and buyers are advised lead times of 5-7 days, a local supplier said.

In South Africa’s Durban, prompt fuel supplies of all three grades are tight, a trader said. Buyers are advised a week's notice for any fuel grade.

Bunker availability is very tight in Mauritius’ Port Louis, with suppliers advised lead times of between 10-14 days to secure VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader said.

In the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, VLSFO supplies remain tight for prompt supplies and need lead times of a week, a trader told ENGINE.

HSFO availability remains limited across ports in Africa.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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